AirPods audio glitches until I adjust volume

"AirPods audio glitches until I adjust volume: My AirPods audio doesn’t play until I adjust the volume level? This is only a recent issue I’ve been having and I’ve restarted, updated, and repaired my devices, but to no avail."

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Report back if this works...

Increase the Headphone Volume Limit:

You can limit the maximum volume of sound that plays through headphones or the built-in speaker on your iPhone.

1. Go: Settings app 
2. Tap: Sounds & Haptics
3. Tap: Headphone Safety (first-item up from bottom of screen)
4. Toggle On: Reduce Loud Audio
5. Drag the Slider: to a higher decibel

Source: AirPods connected but no sound - Apple Community

Note: It is a 2017 post, but it might just do the job, having researched how to accommodate this in the most-recent iOS release: iOS27

"I am having this same issue. This fix does not work, nor does turning off "Reduce Loud Audio" altogether. One note, I have noticed this issue primarily affects YouTube audio, but that may be because it's the primary app I'm using with audio. I have looked in YouTube's settings and have not found any settings that might apply."

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Go Here: Stream Audio from iPhone or iPad Using Control Center - Apple Support. In step 4, select your AirPods.

I am having this same issue. This fix does not work, nor does turning off "Reduce Loud Audio" altogether.

One note, I have noticed this issue primarily affects YouTube audio, but that may be because it's the primary app I'm using with audio. I have looked in YouTube's settings and have not found any settings that might apply.